Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a great position for the playoffs
By Rob Leeds
Game #1 for the Buccaneers
If the rest of the season remains on this track, the Bucs will take the first wildcard spot and will play the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the playoffs. While the Eagles have experienced substantial postseason success over the past few years, the prospect of playing the winner of the worst division in football bodes well for the best chance of winning a playoff game.
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Carson Wentz and the Eagles have looked abysmal this year. At 3-6-1, the Eagles are one of the worst teams in playoff contention ever, and Tampa Bay is currently on pace to dominate a team like that in the playoffs.
Tampa Bay has an advantage over the Eagles in almost every facet of the game. Tampa Bay’s offense, specifically the offensive line and quarterback play, is heads and shoulders better than Philadelphia’s, and the Buccaneer secondary at its worst is still better than the Eagles’.
Playoff games are never a given, but this was the best option other than the first-round bye. Given the current standings, the Saints are on pace to win the division, but having to play Russel Wilson in the first round is no reward.
If Tampa Bay wasn’t going to earn the first-round bye, which already seemed difficult against this competition, that first wildcard spot is the next-best place to be.